Treating OCD - AO3

Question 1

What are strengths of drug therapy for OCD?

Answer 1

• P: Strength = evidence for its effectiveness
• Soomro et al (2009): reviewed 17 studies that compared SSRIs to placebos. All 17 studies showed significantly better outcomes for SSRIs than placebo conditions
• E: Symptoms reduced for around 70% of people taking SSRIs. 30% do not so are able to take alternative drugs or a combination and therapies
• L: Drugs appear to be helpful for most people with OCD

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• P: Strength = cost effective and non disruptive to people’s lives
• E: Cheap compared to psychological treatments - thousands of tablets can be manufactured in the time it takes for one session f therapy - good value for public health systems
• E: SSRIs are non disruptive to people’s lives and a person can take a drug until symptoms decline but clients have to continue going to therapy sessions
• L: Drugs are popular with patients and doctors

Question 2

What are limitations of drug therapy for OCD?

Answer 2

• P: Limitation = serious side effects
• E: Small minority get no benefit (indegestion, blurred vsion). These are mainly temporary but distressing and for a minority it is long lasting
• E: Tricyclic side effects are more coommon and serious. 1 in 10 weight gain and 1 in 100 become aggressive and experience heart related problems
• L: Person’s quality of life is poor and they stop taking drug. Reduces the effectiveness of the treatment

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* P: Limitation = biased evidence
* E: There is always controversy but some psychologists believe that the evidence for drug effectiveness is biased because researchers are spondered by drug companies and may selectively publish positive outcomes for sponsers they are selling (Goldacre 2013)
* E: Lack of independent studies of drug effectiveness and also research on psychological therapies may be biased
* L: Drugs may not be as sueful as the studies imply causing doctors to provide unsuitable drugs